Adjustable seat



July 7, 1959 H. A. PELLER 2,893,470

ADJUSTABLE SEAT Filed oct. 7, 1957 l Arron/Ev United States Patent O ZADJUSTABLE SEAT Henry A. Peller, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware The present invention relates to a vertically adjustable seat and, more particularly, to a seat of relatively simple yet durable construction for use particularly on heavy duty off-the-road earth moving vehicles.

It is desirable to provide a vertically adjustable seat, particularly for use with heavy duty vehicles aforedescribed, which will add to the vehicle operators comfort thereby minimizing his fatigue, while at the same time providing a seat of extremely rigid and durable construction which will not fail under the extreme operating conditions to which it is subjected. In View of the fact that seats used with such heavy duty vehicles are subjected to such severe strains and stresses, it is desirable to provide a seat structure of economical design which will nevertheless be able to withstand such pronounced loadings.

It is, therefore, a principal object and feature of this invention to provide a seat assembly which is particularly adapted to absorb vertical and transverse loadings of an extereme nature as are found to exist in vehicles of the heavy duty type which are subjected to severe shock loadings.

It is yet another object and feature of this invention to provide a vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising. a seat support relatively telescopically mounted about a base member, and spring and shock absorbing means operatively connected adjustably between the base memy ber and the seat structure to resiliently and yieldingly support the latter.

It is another object and feature of this invention to provide a seat assembly of the type aforedescribed comprising relatively telescopically mounted hollow columns or cylinders which are adjustably interconnected for relative vertical movement by resiliently yieldable vertical load bearing means to support the weight of the vehicle operator disposed upon one of the columns, and bearing means interposed between adjacent telescopically related surfaces of the columns to resistiand absorb lateral loads.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide the aforementioned vertically adjustable seat with an operating mechanism for effecting vertical adjustment thereof which comprises a mechanical drive means which may be manually actuated from the exterior of the seat structure, and which will translate rotary driving motion into a vertical reciprocating motion of the seat structure.

In general, these and other objects are attained by providing a seat assemblyicomprising a xed base member including an upstanding column or pillar, a seat support including a similar columnv or pillar telescopically mounted with respect to the base member, lateral load bearing means interposed between adjacent telescoping surfaces of the respective pillars or columns, a height-controlling member connected through suitable manually accessible drive means for vertical adjustment within the pillars, and a coiled spring and double acting shock absorber operatively connected between this member and the seat structure itself whereby the latter is resiliently, yieldably and adjustably supported. 1

These and other features, objects and advantages of this invention will appear more fully hereinafter as the description proceeds, and in which reference is made to the following drawings in which:

Figure l is a front elevational view, in cross section, of the seat of this invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken on line 2-2 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 2 indicates generally a seat base comprising a base plate 4 adapted to be rigidly secured, as by bolting, to the floor 6 of a vehicle or other structure. The base member 2 further includes an upstanding hollow substantially cylindrical pillar or column 8 which is suitably welded to the base plate 4.

An adjustable support, indicated generally at 10, includes a support plate 12 having a central downwardly dished portion 14. Another hollow cylindrical Vcolumn or pillar 16 is suitably welded to the support plate 12 substantially coaxially with the dished portion 14 thereof, and extends downwardly so as to telescope about the upper portion of the base member pillar 8. The support plate 12 may be of any suitable geometric configuration, but preferably is substantially rectangular and includes a pair of forwardly and rearwardly extending laterally spaced parallel flanges 18 on which the brackets or tracks 20 are suitably secured. The frame construction of the seat, indicated in phantom at 22, has secured thereto similar brackets or tracks 24. Associated brackets 20 and 24 have oppositely disposed ange portions thereof 26 and 2S, respectively, which are arcuately curved so as to form a substantially circular guide for the reception of longitudinally extending guide rods 30, while any desired number of roller bearing elements 32 may be disposed between the bracket members 20 and 24. Thus, it will be seen, the seat frame structure is capable of fore and aft longitudinal adjustment upon the seat support plate 12. In this regard, it should be noted that the particular form of mechanism shown for accomplishing fore and aft adjustment of the seat is purely for illustrative purposes, inasmuch as other types of means are well known to accomplish this purpose. Moreover, although not shown, such a fore and aft adjustment mechanism will usually employ latches or other devices to effect positive holding of the seat in any adjusted position.

In order to correctly orient the upper pillar member 16 with respect to the lower pillar 8, an annular bearing member or ring 34 is suitably fixedly secured to the outer wall of the lower pillar 8 and is in abutting sliding engagement with the inner Wall of the upper pillar 16. A similar bearing member 36, which is of split ring construction, is similarly secured to the interior wall of the upper pillar 16 below the bearing member 34 and is in abutting sliding engagement with the exterior side wall of the lower pillar 8. As is indicated principally in Figure 2, the ends 38 of the split ring bearing 36 are spaced from each other so as to closely embrace or straddle a guide plate 40Vrigidly secured to the exterior face of the lower cylindrical pillar 8. It will therefore be seen that the guide plate 40 and the ends ,38 of the split-ring bearing 36 cooperate to restrain the respective pillars from relative rotation thereby maintaining the seat frame structure 22 in an oriented position.

The means for adjustably resiliently maintaining a predetermined level of the seat frame 22 comprises an internally threaded collar 42 suitably journalled in a cylindrical aperture formed in thev center of the base plate 4 by means of an upturned cylindrical flange 44 formed therein. A vertically adjustable height-controlling assembly 46 includes a spring seat 48 of substantially in- `vertedlclished shapesuitably welded to a hollow cylinf drical tube 50 havingits lower `end welded or'otherwise secured to an externally threaded nut 52 which is in threadable engagement with the threads54of the collar l4.2. A double acting shockabsorber56'-has its* lower- 'mostend bolted ate58 to'the center of'thefnut*S25-while v*its uppermost end is secured to .the center `ofA thedished seat support 12.A A relatively heavy coiled springtlis rcoaxially mountedV about the shock absorber .56 and has its lowermost end seated on anannular radially extending Ailange 62 of the spring -seat 48, while its upper end engages a suitable seat 64 formed at the periphery of the dished portion of the seat support plate '12. j, Arigid metal sleeve or shroud 66 is coaxially mounted about the upper end of the shock absorber 56 and rigidly secured to the seat support plate .12. 'The lowermost end .of thisshroud is normally spaced, as shownin Figure l, lvertically above the spring seat 48, .but will actas a `stopin abutting this plate upon overload travel of the seatsupport plate relative to the base member 2. An .upstanding reactionzbar or plate `68 is.rigidly secured to the interior wall of the lower pillar 8, and extends laterally inwardly to engage a suitably contoured notch 770 in the periphery of the .annular plate or spring seat 48. lIt will be readily apparent that cooperation between the -reaction bar 68 and the'notch in which it rides precludes lthe height-controlling assembly 46 from rotating.

In order to impart rotation to the threaded collar 42, there is secured thereto a horizontally disposed Vbevel gear 72 having its lowermost face piloted upon the upwardly presented edge of the rcylindrical flange 44. A bevel .pinion 74 is press tted or otherwise -iirmly secured in Athe bore of an adapter member 76 having a cylindrical shouldered portion 78 suitably rotatably piloted in the cylindricalV sleeve or bushing V80 welded in an aperture .in the side Vwall of the lower pillar 8 beneath the guide ,plate 40. The bevel pinion 74 and its adapter arexmain- -tained in the position shown, thatis with the pinion in `mesh with the gear 72,*byany suitable means such as a isnap-ring S2. A'port or. ports 84 may be provided'in the bushing 80 for lubrication purposes. 'Ihe manually vactuable operating handle 86 extends through the adapter -76 for rotation of Ithe bevel pinion to etfect'seat adjustment.

From .Figure 2 it will be noted that a portion of the .upper pillar 16 has been cut out as indicated at 88Y so aszto provide the necessary clearance `between the upper :pillar andthe assembly associated with the bevel pinion 74 as the upper pillar Vmember moves-downwardly `in compression.

ln operation, andwith the seat support `assembly dis- '.posed n'a given vertical position of adjustment relative to the ybase 2, the coiled spring 60 resiliently resists downward movement of Vthe Vseat support plate'12 while the double acting shock absorber compensates for over-riding in the assembly and more or less dampens oscillations therein in much the same manner as a ,conventional shock absorber employed in vehicle suspensions. lf the vehicle .operator desires to adjust the initial level ofthe seateither up or down, he merely rotates the bevel pinion 74 in the suitable direction which, through the bevel gear 72, rotates the threaded collar 42. As this collar rotates, vertical movement is .given to the'assembly '46 inasmuch as the latter cannot-rotate because of the cooperative engagement between the guide bar orY plate 68 and the spring support plate 48.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown-in the drawings, thermain supportingpil- Ilars i8 Aand 16 as wellas the components oi?V the height controlling assembly-46,.collar42 andgear 72 -are ,fdisposed substantially co-axially. YThepillarsS-.and 116` in cooperation with the .bearing members 34 and 36 provide vmeansior resisting lateralloadsgwhile Ythe centrally upstanding operatingmechanism 46 .disposed `withinthe pillars yieldably resists vertical loading. While such an @arrangement is'preferred because of 'its' obvious simplicity,

ease of maintenance, extreme durability and facility of manufacture, it will be readily apparent that changes in the specific construction shown will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a number of shock absorber and spring constructionsmay be utilized as desired preferably witha single gear means to effect conjoint vertical movement'thereof. UFurthei-more, although the pillarrmembers vl8=and 16 havebeen shown to .be-'cylin- .dricalrin-construction, whichis .preferable because of the inherent rigidity in such a geometric formation, it

will.be...further apparent that other configurations may be employed. For example, lthe respective pillars may be rectangular in cross-section or,v for that matter, of any other polygonal cross-section. In this conjunction, one advantage to be gained from a polygonal cross-section is that the guideor restraining plate- 40' and its association 'with'the split'bearing ring '36 may be eliminated inas- 20 r them from relative rotation.

much as the corners of the respective pillars will restrain Therefore, having shown and described aV preferred rembodiment of the invention, itis'to be understood that .including athreaded'rotatabledriving member, driven Ymeans on said height-controlling vmeans threadably en- --gaging said driving member, and cooperating reaction means on said base and height-controlling means for .f restraining .the ylatter from rotation as said driving member isr-rotrated.

2.Y A-vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising an -upstanding base, 'an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support `telescopically mounted on said base, means formedon :adjacent portions ofsaid base and seat support to restrain relative rotary movement'therebetween,

rmechanism for'yieldably supporting and adjusting said -seat support 4on said base, said mechanism comprising vertically adjustable height-controlling means including aspring support, spring means extending between said ispringsupport-andsaid seat support, and means for conftrolllng vertical movement of said height-controlling means, said last named means including a threaded rotat `able driving'rnember,V driven means on said .height-.con-

trollingmeansthreadably engaging said driving member,

'and cooperating reaction means .on' said base and heightcontrolling-meansefor-'restraining the latter from rotation as said driving member is rotated.

` 3. A verticallyadjustable seat assembly comprising an 'upstanding"base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat `support'telescopically mounted on said base, vmeans formed 'onadjacentrportions of said base and seat support to Testrain relative rotary movement therebetween, lmechansmfor yieldably supporting-fand adjusting said seat supporton said base, said mechanism comprising vertically Yadjustable height-controlling means including .arspring support, ashock absorber .operatively connected to said height-controlling Ymeans and .to said seat support, spring-means .extending between said spring support and saidfseat support, and means for controlling vertical movement -of-said height-controlling means, said last named r:.-meanstincluding .athreaded .rotatable 4driving membenzdrivenf'means Ton saidhei'ghtecontrolling .means threa'dably engaging said driving member, andrcooperating reaction means on said base and height-controlling means for restraining the latter from rotation as said driving member is rotated.

4. A vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising an upstanding base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted on said base, cooperating guide means formed on adjacent portions of said base and seat support to restrain relative rotary movement therebetween, mechanism for yieldably supporting and adjusting said seat support upon said fbase, said mechanism comprising vertically adjustable spring support means, a double acting shock absorber operatively connected to said spring support means and to said seat support, a coiled spring extending between said spring support means and said seat support, and externally operable means for controlling vertical movement of said spring support means, said last named means including a threaded rotatable driving member, driven means on said height-controlling means threadably engaging said driving member, and cooperating reaction means on said base and height-controlling means for restraining the latter from rotation as said driving member is rotated.

5. A vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising an upstanding base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted on said base, means formed on said base and seat support to restrain relative rotary movement therebetween, mechanism for yieldably supporting and adjusting said seat support on said fbase, said mechanism comprising height-controlling means, resilient load bearing means mounted on said heightcontrolling means and yieldably supporting said seat support, externally actuable drive means .for vertically positioning said height-controlling means, said last named means including an upstanding rotatable collar having threads formed thereon about its vertical axis, threaded means on said height-controlling means engaging said threaded collar, and cooperating reaction means on said height-controlling means and base for restraining said height-controlling means from rotation as said collar is rotated.

6. A vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising an upstanding base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted on said base, cooperating guide means formed on said base and seat support to restrain relative rotary movement therebetween, mechanism for adjustably yieldably supporting said seat support on said base, said mechanism comprising a vertically adjustable load bearing member, resilient means mounted on said member and yieldably supporting said seat support in a given vertical position, externally actuable drive means for vertically positioning said member, said last named means including an upstanding rotatable collar having threads formed thereon about its vertical axis, threaded means on said member engaging said threaded collar, and cooperating reaction means on said member and base for restraining said member from rotation as said collar is rotated.

7. A vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising an upstanding base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted on said base, cooperating guide means formed on said base and seat support to restrain relative rotary movement therebetween, mechanism for adjustably yieldably supporting said seat support on said base, said mechanism comprising a vertically adjustable member including a spring platform, a shock absorber operatively secured respectively to said member and said seat support, a coiled spring extending between and engaging said platform and said seat support, externally actualble drive means for vertically positioning said member, said last named means including an upstanding rotatable collar having threads formed thereon about its vertical axis, threaded means on said member engaging said threaded collar, and cooperating reaction means on said member and base for restraining said member from rotation as said collar is rotated.

8. A vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising an upstanding base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted on said base, bearing means interposed between and carried respectively by adjacent telescoping surfaces of said base and support, one of said means including a split ring secured to said support below the other of said bearing means on said base and having its ends spaced from each other, an upstanding guide secured to said base and extending between the ends of said split ring to limit relative rotary movement between said seat support and base, means for vertically adjusting said seat support relative to said base, said adjusting means comprising a vertically adjustable load bearing member, means for vertically adjusting said member, and yieldable means mounted on said member and supporting said seat support in a given vertical position,

9. A vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising a fixed base, a vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted on said base, drive means for vertically adjusting said support, said means comprising driving means rotatably mounted in said base, driven means rotatably mounted on a vertical axis within said base, said driven means including a threaded portion, a vertically adjustable nut threada'bly engaging said threaded portion, a platform secured above and to said nut for adjustment therewith, a reaction member on said base engageable with said platform to restrain rotation of the latter, a vertically extending shock absorber rigidly secured between said nut and said seat support, a spring coiled about said shock absorber and having its ends abutting said platform and support, and stop means carried by said seat support and normally spaced above said platform and engageable therewith upon overload travel of said seat support relative to said base.

10. A vertically adjustable seat assembly comprising an upstanding base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted about said base, bearing means interposed between adjacent telescoping surfaces of said base and support, one of said means including a split ring secured to said support and having its ends spaced from each other, an upstanding guide secured to said base and extending between the ends of said split ring to limit relative rotary movement lbetween said support and base, mechanism for vertically adjusting said support relative to said base, said mechanism comprising externally actuable rotary drive means supported by said base, rotary driven means supported Iby said base and operatively connected to said drive means, said driven means including an upstanding threaded collar, a seat support assembly threadably connected to said collar, reaction means carried by said base and engaging said seat support assembly to restrain the latter from rotation with said driven means as the latter is rotated whereby said seat support assembly will be translated in a vertical path, yieldable means mounted on said seat support vassembly and yieldably maintaining said seat support in a given vertical position, and stop means carried lby said seat support to limit downward overload travel of the latter.

11. A vertically adjustable seat assembly'comprising an `upstanding base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted on said base, bearing means interposed between adjacent telescoping surfaces of said base and support, one of said means including a split ring secured to said support and having its ends spaced from each other, an upstanding guide secured to said base and extending between the ends of said split ring to limit relative rotary movement between said seat support and base, means for vertically adjusting said seat support relative to said base, said adjusting means comprising a vertically adjustable load bearing member, means for vertically adjusting said member, yieldable means mounted on said member and supporting f7. ssaidrseatrsupporttnargivensvertical position, andfstop igmeanss securedttolsaidseat support 1andznormally-spaced @mbove saidwmemberand:engageable therewith upon overffloadztravelrzof saidfseat support` relative to said base.

@12.5K `vertically adjustable .seat assemblyv comprising movementbetweensaid.seat support and base,-.means fork werticallyiadjusting said-seat support relative to said base, said adjusting means comprising a verticallyl adjustable t-:load;.bearing member, exteriorly actuable means for 'ver- -iticallyfadjusting said member,. a coiled spring extending Y.rfbetvveen said "member and saidseat support, and a shock absorberfoperativelyfconnected between said member and :saidseat support within said spring.

11.3.JA` verticallyadjustable seat assembly comprising --tan upstanding base, Aan upstanding vertically` adjustable :.seatfsupport telescopically. mounted on said base, bearing means: interposed between adjacent telescoping surrrfacesxot said `base andisupport, one of said means includiingua-isplit -ring secured to said support and having its -zendsr-spacedrfrom each other, an upstanding guide sef'cured to. saidbase, and extending between the-ends of @said splitting ,toV limit: relative rotary movement between #said scat-'support and base, means forvertically adjusting-said seatisupport relative to said base, saidadjusting rmeans :comprising a vertically adjustable load bearing member, exteriorly.accessible and actuable means forl 1 vertically adjustingsaidmember, a coiled spring extendling' between said member and said seat'support, a shock `'absorber operatively connected between said member and -saidseat"support within said spring, and a downwardly extendingrshroud secured to said'` seat support andY surlrounding the upper 'end of said shock absorber within ..said1coiled spring,:said shroud having its lower end nor- -mallyf spaced Labovezsaid memberv and engageable therewithtuponoverload travel-of said seat support-relative :to` said ibase.

. 14.- Aiverticallyradjustable seat assembly comprising :.an upstandingzbase, an upstanding vertically adjustable :.seatssupportVtelescopically mounted on said base, bearfling means interposed between adjacent telescoping surffaces of saidv base and support, one of said bearing means yincluding ya split ringthaving its ends spaced from each ,'.otherfan upstanding .guide extending between theends fofsaid split ringysaid split ring and guide being opera- `tively secured to telescopinglportions of said base and .-seat support,::means for vertically adjusting said seat sup- :port'relative to said base,` said adjusting means comprisffingfexternally operable' gear means mounted within said :.base, althreaded collar drivingly connected to said gear @means for; rotation: about a vertical axis, a threaded nut engaging the threads of said collar for vertical travel as rthelatteris'rotated, an' upstanding `load bearing member fincluding a'hollowfpillar-secured. tosaid nut and a later- --ally extendingplatform atthe opposite end thereof, an -upstandingreaction guide secured to said-'base and en- .gageab-le by saidlplatform-to prevent rotation of the lattenand said nut asasaid collar is rotated, a;coil spring Yextending.between and engagingsaid platform and seat asupport, a shocklabsorber connected to said nut and extending through said pillar and vspring for connection lto saidrseat support; and a downwardly extending shroud securedtosaid seatsupport within said coiled spring and surroundingthe` upper endof said shockabsorber, said "shroud fhaving its lower endnormally spacedabove said platform jand engageablejltherewith 'upon overload Y' travel ofsaidtseatsupport relative to said base;

t j 15.;A`-ve`rtieally.i, adjustablee seat assembly Icomprising l,laeseat isu'pport, lazbasefmemben saidfseat support-@and base member each having verticallyioppositelyextending rigidly secured .toA saidwseatvasupport pillar fbeneath said -one bearing means 1 and' in1sliding;,engagement with said v :basezmember pillarpan upstandingjguide .bar securedto v Isaid. baser member pillar between. the :latter .and said" seat 1 support pillar, .thetxterminalk ends iof1said: split-1 ring -bearing V:fm'ember straddling :said fguide member, 'mechanism ,for adjustably vresiliently:supporting said .seat 'support `vertically abovesaid base member, said mechanism-comprising a lverticallyadjustable Vheight-controlling-mechanism YmountedI within `said pillars, aA threadednutlsecured toA said last named'mechanism, ak rotary threaded collar rotatably journalled in said Ybase memberi for rotation Yabout a vertical axisand operatively engaging saidinut,

externally accessible manually actuable. gearv means operatively secured to said vcollar tolrotate the latter, a

reaction member. secured. toisaid'base member pillarand engaging'said'height-controlling mechanism to restrain the; latter fromtrotationasisaid:collar is rotated, adouble acting shock absorber. secured tor said nut ,ands said :seat A3O l andi-extending between said' height-controlling mechanism and said seat support, and a` shroudiseeured to saidzseat ,supportxco-axially with said: spring and extendingxdownwardly 5 about' the vupper :portion'oftsaid shock absorber,

support, acoiled springzsurrounding said shock :absorber `the lower-,edge of'saidl` shroud being normally vertically spaced .above said .height-controlling 'buty abuttalble therewith upon overload travel offsaid,seatxsupportirelative to said basemember.

16. Avertically. adjustable seat `assembly comprising an upstanding base, an upstanding vertically adjustable seat support telescopically mounted: `on said ibase, coop- .erating means 'formed on said baseand seat'support to restrain relative rotary movement therebetween, mecha- .nism for yieldably supporting andadjusting said seat support on said'base, saidmechanism comprising ,height- `controlling means, resilient load bearing means mounted on .said height-controlling means .and yieldably support- ,inghsaid seatsupport, externally actuable drive means for -vertica'llypositioning said height-controlling means,l said Vlast, named means L including a' threaded rotatable driving .member, 'drivenmeans `on said height-controlling means .threadably engaging said driving member, and cooperat- Aing reaction meansxon said baSeandheight-controlling means for restraining the latter .from rotation .aszsaid Vdriving member is rotated.

v the. latter :and: the, adjacent L surface Vof said support, addif tional l bearing means secured. to .said support; and-interposedfbetween the ylatter. and .the adjacent surface of said base,: said last named bearing means being located below `and movable against saidrrstnamed bearingmeans to .limit upward travelxof saidsupport, guide means secured toy said baseiiand cooperating'with said bearing'means .secured to said supportto prevent 'rotary kmovement-of the latter, means for'verticallvadjusting saidseat supportrelativeito said base,:said adjusting -means comprising a vertically` adjustable load bearing member, means :for `verticallyadjustings'aidf member, and yieldable spring means: mounted on-said member and engaging said fseat `supporttorcontinuouslyA urge the -latter upwardly.

(References -onf-'followingf.page) References Cited in the le 0f this patent 2,092,669

UNITED STATES PATENTS 882,656 'ringdam Mar. 24, 1908 889,637 Roweu June 2, 1908 5 1,023,620 surge Apr. 16, 1912 3.209 1,332,200 Borgareuo Mar. 2, 1920 l0 Greve Sept. 7, 1937 Raders Jau. 28, 1941 Nckelsen et al. Oct. 11, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1912 

